Operations Manager

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters.

The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. The National Wildlife Federation believes that in order to save wildlife and ourselves, we need to ensure that everyone in America has clean air and water, safe communities, easy and equitable access to the daily benefits of nature, and protection from the ravages of climate change. These basic needs, equally necessary and urgent for all people, are foundational to bringing the conservation movement and ethos into the 21st century.

Position Overview

To support our mission, we are seeking an Operations Manager. This position provides operational support to the Great Lakes Regional Center (GLRC) and is responsible for managing activities conducted at the GLRC. Major areas of responsibility include: (1) leading all aspects of GLRC’s financial systems and operation, including making timely and supported recommendations on final budget decisions to the Regional Executive Director (RED), assisting program staff with financial/administrative procedures, and providing fundraising and grant support; (2) supporting and inspiring a team environment and culture that advances NWF core values and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; and (3) oversight of GLRC operations and internal communications. This position reports directly to the Regional Executive Director of the GLRC with a dotted-line report to the Director of Program Operations.

Principle Duties: (major areas of responsibility)

Financial Management:

• Ensure sound financial management including tracking expenses and revenues; manages the development and monitoring of GLRC’s budget reporting systems (directly responsible for managing annual budget of approximately $5.7 million);
• Develop and implement budgets through projections, cost classifications, transfers and year-end carryovers; prepares and monitors GLRC budgets consistent with NWF’s financial reporting system;
• Oversee and approve all expenses, including salary allocations, travel, office operations and special events.
• Generate and oversee all contract and grant agreements of GLRC including appropriate approvals and financial tracking;
• Oversee input of GLRC donations/payments received into the CRM system;
• In tandem with Philanthropy and Finance staff, assist program staff in grant applications and reports, including tracking grant reporting requirements and ensure that all requirements are met.
• Assists RED and Operations Coordinator with Wolfpack donor management including tracking of revenue and related to dues and special projects.
• Assists with Healing Our Waters (HOW) conference registration including tracking and invoicing of conference sponsors and management of conference registration process. Assists with development of annual HOW budget.
• Assists with development of annual Great Lakes Business Network and Healing Our Waters budgets and quarterly financial reporting.

Internal Relations:

• Provides direct supervision of GLRC’s Operations Coordinator
• Work closely with Strategic Operations Leadership Team and other Operations Managers on best practices, policies and procedures to ensure sound management of GLRC operations;
• Nurture strong, working relationships with the region’s RED, AD, and program staff to support the needs of the region and expand the Center's relationship and collaboration with other internal departments and staff;
• Promote a productive, interactive, collaborative and fun work environment;
• Administer HR policies, support Center’s recruitment, hiring and retention with equity, justice, and inclusion at the forefront, assist in the resolution of personnel issues;
• Assist the GLRC in operationalizing and embedding equity and justice into their organizational policies, practices, and programs;
• Communicate policies and procedures to office staff;
• Assists with administrative duties related to volunteers, interns, and work study students.

Operational Management:

• Maintain and promote a safe, efficient and productive office environment;
• Organize and/or assist with internal meetings, visits, retreats and special events and projects;
• Assist with development and communications tasks, such as events and mailings;
• Ensure systems and procedures are current and functional; keeps office equipment updated and in working order;
• Facilitate negotiation of office lease, including modifications and renewals, and serve as intermediary with the landlord regarding office space issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or at least 5 years of relevant work experience is required.
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in a budget preparation and/or management, operations, or administration capacity, preferably in a nonprofit setting 
• Proven skills in financial management and budgeting are essential, including grant management
• Must have a professional demeanor, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal appropriately with confidential and sensitive matters
• Must have demonstrated budget and demonstrated problem-solving abilities
• Must have previous supervision or people management experience.
• Must be a strategic thinker, well organized, positive communicator; relationship builder and have a demonstrated ability to set goals and priorities, and meet deadlines
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, creation and manipulation of spreadsheets, knowledge of budgeting tools, excel, and database management 
• Formal training including coursework or certifications in financial administration and budgeting strongly preferred.

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized.
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions.
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them.
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
• Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Physical Requirements: 

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).  

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis. 

Please Note: 

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Travel Requirements:

There may be occasional travel in this role, approximately 7-10 nights a year.

Location and Work Mode: 

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. The GLRC has an office currently in Ann Arbor, MI. The work mode for this position is flexible including fully remote, in-person, or hybrid from our Ann Arbor, MI office. Preference will be given to candidates who live in Ann Arbor, MI, Detroit, MI, Chicago, IL, or Cleveland, OH, or are willing to relocate to the area. Excellent candidates will be considered for a fully remote position with occasional travel to Ann Arbor. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

Compensation and Benefits:

• The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling.  We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting.  We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health: 

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays.
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.
• For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers 

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules.  Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings.  Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence.  Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

• If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.